Cone head assembly for winding machines



B; F. ELSNER ETAL v 3,430,887

March 4, 1969 CONE HEAD ASSEMBLY FOR W-INDING MACHINES INVENTOIU.

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Sheet Filed Aug 2, 1967 k J%Y e kw MA K% m m March 4, 1969 ELSNER HAL 3,430,887

CONE HEAD ASSEMBLY FOR WINDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 2, 19 67 Sheet 2 of 2 62 J76 Q i F INVENTOR5. 5f? TEAM 7: ELSA/5Q f'RANK E'L 5mm J'R.

United States Patent 3,430,887 CGNE HEAD ASSEMBLY FOR WINDENG MACHINES Bertram F. Elsner and Frank Eisner, Jr., Hanover, Pa.,

assignors to Eisner Engineering Works, Inc., Hanover,

Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Aug. 2, 1967, Ser. No. 657,958

US. Cl. 242-68.2 15 Claims int. Cl. E65h 17/02 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE A cone head assembly to support and wind extensive lengths of sheet material on tubular cores and comprising a pair of spaced cone heads respectively insertable axially into the oposite ends of a tubular core, radially movable gripping means on each head engaging the inner surface of the opposite ends of said core to effect nonslip driving of the opposite ends of said core simultaneously, and ejecting means movable axially on each head abutting the ends of said core simultaneously to insure separation of said heads from the ends of said core at the completion of a winding operation.

Background of the invention Many types of long strips of sheet material are merchandised in rolled condition upon expandable cores which usually are tubular and formed from inexpensive material such as paper, cardboard and the like. A wide variety of both industrially and commercially consumed sheet material, as well as a very wide assortment of domestically consumed sheet material such as wrapping paper, metal foils, oilcloth, textile products, synthetic resin sheeting, and the like, of an extensive variety of widths, usually must be wound upon a core to provide stability to the ultimate coil of such material, especially to effect winding and packaging thereof.

Winding or coiling machines are presently available which are arranged to feed a supply of empty tubular cores to a winding station where, under normal conditions, conical heads respectively are positioned to be inserted into the opposite ends of said cores, under axial pressure, to effect driving, frictional engagement between said conical heads and opposite ends of such tubular core. There are a number of notable disadvantages resulting from this arrangement, however, the principal one of which comprises the fact that thin walled tubular cores of substantial length cannot be employed because axial pressure upon the opposite ends causes bowing of the core and also flaring of the ends thereof. Accordingly, when wide sheet material such as oilcloth is wound upon a core, it is necessary to use an exceptionally thick walled core or a core having an undesirably large diameter which wastes packaging and shipping space.

Another disadvantage resides in the fact that uneven driving engagement occurs at the opposite ends of said core. Still another disadvantage resides in undesirable sticking and therefore uneven withdrawal of the conical heads from the opposite ends of a core at the end of a winding operation. Further, a rider roll usually is required to engage the coil of sheet material as being formed to insure a desired firmness in the coil of material being formed upon the core.

Summary of the invention The principal object of the present invention is to provide a cone head assembly in which gripping engagement is quickly established evenly and firmly between unidirectionally rotatable driven heads and the opposite ends of a tubular core and such driving connection does not rely 3,43%,887 Patented Mar. 4, 1969 upon axial pressure as in the aforementioned prior devices. Rather, substantially cylindrical plug-like portions on each head are inserted in the opposite ends of a tubular core with a relatively close fit and each head is provided with gripping members which, in the preferred construction, comprise bell cranks on each of which one leg is projected radially a limited extent by means of a fluid pressure piston which is adequate to firmly and positively effect nonslip gripping engagement between said heads and the opposite ends of a tubular core. In view of this, relatively thinwalled tubular cores of small diameter as well as of substantial length, when desired, may be employed for the winding of sheet material thereon and thereby minimize the expense of such cores which normally are expendable at the completion of use thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide on each head relatively simple and automatically operable ejecting means which function in a foolproof manner to insure even and positive withdrawal of the cone heads simultaneously from the opposite ends of a tubular core at the completion of a winding operation, whereby precise movement of a wound core from the winding station takes place and, otherwise, the continuous and smooth operation of the entire coiling machine is assured.

Details of the invention and of the foregoing objects, as well as other objects thereof, are set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the acompanying drawings comprising a part thereof.

Description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the path of movement of sheet material in a rewinding mechanism for purposes of forming commercial sizes of rolls of such material upon a tubular core as the material is fed from a large industrial type supply roll of such material.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary and somewhat diagrammatic side elevation of the recoiling section of a machine of the type in which the passage of sheet material occurs such as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary end view of a portion of the driving mechanism for revolving tubular cores in conjunction with the rewinding operation illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned, vertical elevation of the mechanism shown in FIG. 3 as seen on the line 4-4 thereof.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of part of the mechanism shown in FIG. 3 as seen on the line 5-5 of said figure.

FIG. 6 is an end view of a cone head per se embodying the invention as seen on the line 6-6 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a cone head assembly embodying the present invention and including the cone head per se shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in vertical section, of the cone head assembly shown in FIG. 7 as seen on the line 88 of FIG. 6 and in which the gripping members are in idle position with respect to one end of a tubular core positioned upon the cone head of said assembly.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 except that it is taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 6 and shows the gripping members in gripping position with respect to one end of a tubular core positioned upon the cone head.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary partially longitudinally sectioned side elevation of a different embodiment of cone head assembly from that shown in the preceding figures and illustrating the gripping members in idle position with respect to one end of a tubular core positioned upon the cone head of said embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 10 as seen on the line 1ll1 thereof.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but showing the gripping members positioned in gripping position with respect to one end of a tubular core fragmentarily illustrated therein.

FIGS. 13 and 14 respectively are perspective views of the cone head and ejecting member employed in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. l-9.

FIGS. 15-18 respectively are fragmentary, somewhat diagrammatic longitudinal sectioned views illustrating different steps in the operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-9 and particularly illustrating the function of the ejecting means, said figures successively and respectively showing the cone head being moved toward engagement with one end of a tubular core and the ejecting means fully projected; full engagement of the cone head with said end of the tubular core and the ejecting means pushed by the core to fully retracted position; nearly complete withdrawal of the cone head from one end of the tubular core and illustrating the continued engagement of the ejecting means with said core while the plug-like portion of the head is being withdrawn from the core; and the completed withdrawal of the head from the core with the ejecting means projected to fullest ejecting position and the core being shown fragmentarily at the commencement of discharge movement downward.

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring to FIG. 1, a diagrammatic outline of a typical path of movement of a strip of sheet material 10 of extensive length and uniform width is shown to illustrate the material moving from a large supply roll 12 thereof, which contains many hundreds of feet, for example, around various driving and guiding rolls, to a cluster of initial winding rolls 14 within the midst of which a tubular core 16 is shown in process of having the sheet material 10 wound thereupon. This illustration is for purposes of facilitating an understanding of the function and importance of the cone head assembly shown in the succeeding figures which actually comprises the essence of the present invention.

FIG. 2 fragmentarily illustrates on a larger scale than in FIG. 1 certain portions of the feeding and driving mechanism utilized for purposes of effecting the winding of the sheet material upon the tubular core 16. In this figure, guide means 18 are fragmentarily illustrated to show a series of empty tubular cores 16 being fed to the initial winding rolls 14 which primarily are for purposes of initiating the coiling at the leading end of the web of sheet material 10 onto an empty tubular core 16. Such initial winding occurs at a high rate of speed and continues briefly until the cone head assemblies which actually comprise the most essential part of the present invention are moved into functioning relationship with the opposite ends of the tubular core 16.

Certain of the winding rolls in the group identified by the numeral 14 also move in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 after a desired length of sheet material has been wound upon the core 16 and it is de sired to discharge the wound cores 16' downward or otherwise from the winding position shown in full lines in FIG. 2, to the phantom position shown in said figure, whereupon a suitable conveyor 20 or the like may be employed to remove the wound cores 16 to packaging mechanism or storage, etc.

The present invention primarily comprises cone head assemblies 22 and certain details of supporting and actuating mechanism therefor. Said assemblies respectively engage opposite ends of the tubular cores 16 before or after the same have been moved from the supply and guide means 18 to the winding position shown in FIG. 2. In this position, initial winding of the web of material 10 thereon is effected by the rollers 14 that are driven by appropriate means which are not described in detail and do not comprise part of the present invention. At the completion of the winding operation, the supporting and actuating means for the cone head assemblies 22 also moves the wound core 16' to discharge position, as indicated by a double headed arrow in FIG. 2, for deposit of the wound core upon the discharge conveyor 20, for example. The wound core is instantaneously and simultaneously disengaged by the head assemblies 22 incident to such discharge movement of the wound cores and the head assemblies 22 are then quickly restored to the winding position.

Engagement and disengagement of the cone head assemblies 22 with respect to the opposite ends of tubular cores 16 is effected by axial movement of the heads 22 toward and from each other. In FIG. 3, only a single head assembly and its supporting and actuating mechanism is illustrated but it is understood that an identical opposite unit of such mechanism is provided in the machine for engaging the opposite end of the tubular core 16 shown in phantom in FIG. 3.

The head assemblies 22 are respectively fixedly connected to the upper end of a vertically movable support 24 guided within an appropriate way 26. The ways 26 at opposite sides of the machine respectively and simultaneously are movable toward and from each other by suitable levers 28 and links 30, for example, the links being connected to the ways 26 and one end of the levers 28 preferably have rollers respectively engageable with the cam faces at the opposite ends of a rotatable cam 32 fixed to and rotatable by shaft 34. Such mechanism primarily is for illustrative purposes and equivalents may be used.

Simultaneous vertical movement of the supports 24 is effected by any suitable means such as a driven shaft 36 upon which pinion gears 38 are splined for rotatable drive thereby as well as permitting axial movement of the gears 38 adjacent opposite sides of the machine upon the outer end portions of shaft 36. The gears 38 respectively mesh with a rack 40 extending along one face of each vertically movable support 24. It thus will be seen that the ways 26 adjacent opposite sides of frame 42 of the machine are maintained parallel with respect to each other but are movable laterally toward and from each other, simultaneously, by the operation of the cam 32, thereby moving the cone head assemblies 22 axially toward and from each other. The gears and racks 38 and 40 thus effect simultaneous vertical movement, in desired directions, of the cone head assemblies 22 within the frame 42 for purposes of disposing the assemblies 22 either at winding or discharging positions such as explained above with respect to FIG. 2.

Each of the cone head assemblies 22 comprises a suitable bracket 44 which is adjustably connectable to the upper end of the vertically movable support 24 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, it will be seen that the bracket 44 of each cone head assembly 22 comprises a housing within which antifriction bearings 46 are mounted for purposes of supporting a rotatable shaft 48. One end of the shaft projects beyond the adjacent end of the housing of bracket 44 for purposes of having a driving gear 50 connected thereto which is connected to approriate driving means, not shown. If desired, the driving gear 50 may be driven by a sprocket chain or the like, whereupon the gear 50 would be a sprocket gear. The opposite end of shaft 48 extends through the opposite end of the housing of bracket 44, as clearly shown in FIGS. 7-9, and is integral with a flanged circular plate-like member 52 to which a plug-like cone head portion or member 54 is connected by any suitable means, such as a circular row of bolts 56.

Referring to FIG. 13, in particular, it will be seen that the cone head 54 is substantially cylindrical at the outer end thereof and intermediately of the opposite ends of cone head 54, an annular shoulder flange 58 is provided to provide a positioning stop. The outer end of cone head 54 also is bisected by a diametrical slot 60 which extends axially inward as far as the rearward face of flange 58 for purposes of accommodating a pair of gripping members 62 which are best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. By such arrangement, it will be seen that the gripping members 62 are substantially evenly spaced circumferentially of the cone head 54 and are for purposes to be described.

Also provided within the periphery of the outer end portion of cone head 54 and flange 58 are a series of circumferentially evenly spaced longitudinal slots 64 which are best shown in FIG. 13 and are for purposes of slidably receiving a corresponding series of circumferen tially spaced, axially extending ejecting fingers 66, best shown in FIG. 14, which are of even length and are all connected at one end to a ring 68. The interior of ring 68 is slidably complementary to the exterior of rearward hub portion 70 of cone head 54. The operation and function of the ring 68 and fingers 66 carried thereby is set forth hereinafter.

The outer end portion of cone head 54 which contains the slots 60 and 64- is plug-like and preferably closely but not tightly fits within one end of a tubular core 16 which is to be supported between a pair of the cone heads 54 as described hereinabove. The annular shoulder flange 58 projects radially beyond the outer circumferential surface of cone head 54 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the wall of the tubular core 16 to be mounted thereon. Extending rearward from ring 68 is an annular guide to flange 72 of smaller diameter than the ring 68 and is slidable upon the hub portion 70 of head 54. A compression spring 74 of suitable diameter surrounds the guide flange 72 and presses in opposite directions respectively against the rear surface of ring 68 and the forward surface of circular member 52 which is integral with the shaft 48 and is thus fixed axially relative thereto. In normal operation, the spring 74 presses ring 68 against the rear surface of flange 58 and this relationship disposes the outer ends of the ejecting fingers 66 substantially flush with the front face of the forward end of cone head 54, as is clearly shown in FIG. 7.

Particularly from FIGS. 8 and 9, it will be seen that the gripping member 62 are actually bell crank members which are pivotally supported intermediately of the ends thereof upon a .pair of transfersely extending pivot pins 76 which are spaced evenly from the axis of shaft 48. The bell crank gripping members 62 are respectively provided with a leg 78 which extends axially, and the other leg 80 extends radially inward toward the axis of shaft 48. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, it will be seen that an inner cylindrical cavity 82 comprises a cylinder of limited length with which a short complementary piston 84 is reciprocable.

Extending axially from one face of the piston 84 is a plunger 86, the outer end of which simultaneously engages the inner ends of the radial legs 80 of gripping member 62, as best shown in FIG. 9. The opposite edges of legs 80 from those engaged by plunger 86 are engaged by a compression spring 88 which surrounds a stop plug 98 that is disposed within a bore 92 extending in ward from the outer surface of cone head 54 and is coaxial with plunger 86.

The outer end of stop plug 90* has a head thereon against which one end of spring 88 abuts and a snap ring 94- which is disposed within a seating groove near the outer end of bore 92 receives a snap ring to secure the stop plug 90 against outward movement from the bore 92. The length of the stop plug 90 is such that when the piston 84 and plunger 86 thereon move axially outward so as to pivot the inner ends of legs 80 of gripping members 62 forwardly with respect to the outer face of cone head 54, the axial legs 78 of gripping members 62 will be moved a limited, controlled distance radially outward at the tip ends thereof into firm frictional engagement with the inner surface of the tubular core received upon the plug-like outer portion of cone head 54.

In View of the fact that the outer diameter of the cylindrical surface of the forward end of cone head 54 is of such diameter that it nearly equals the inner diameter of tubular core 16, it can be appreciated that only a very slight amount of radial movement of the tip ends of the axial legs 78 of the gripping member 62 will be necessary to effect very firm, nonslip frictional engagement with opposed portions of the inner surface of one end portion of tubular core 16. Though only a pair of gripping members 62 are illustrated in opposition to each other, any other desired number may be employed, if necessary or desirable in accordance with the diameter of the core to be gripped, as long as such gripping members are spaced preferably evenly circumferentially around the head 54.

Further, only radial movement of the tip portion of the axial legs 78 of the gripping member 62 is required to effect positive and firm driving connection between the axially spaced cone heads 54 with the opposite ends of a tubular core 16, as distinguished from axial friction or gripping movement being required to effect such driving connection as in regard to conventional winding devices presently in use. Means other than those shown may be used.

The limited outward axial movement of piston 84 and plunger 86 which is required to effect such driving gripping engagement between the gripping members 62 and the opposite ends of a tubular core 16 readily is effected by fluid-actuated means of a relatively simple nature which is clearly illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. While air is the preferred fluid, liquid fluid may be used. From said figures, it will be seen that shaft 48 is provided with a fluid delivery bore 96 which extends inward from the outer face of circular member 52 a sufficient distance to communicate with a hole 98, see FIG. 8, extending diametrically through shaft 48 for communication with an annular manifold groove 100 formed in a cylindrical fluid-flow controlling member 102 having a series of annular grooves 104 in the outer surface thereof which is of a diameter affording limited clerance with the inner surface of the stationary housing portion of bracket 44.

An outer annular manifold groove 106 is formed in the outer surface of member 102 and receives fluid from a fluid inlet port 108 which is connected to a suitable source thereof under pressure through conduit 109. A series of radial communicating ports 110 extend between the manifold grooves 108 and 106. Appropriate control valves, not shown, of suitable type, operated by either master timing devices, not shown, or mechanism associated with the feed of the tubular core 16, control the delivery of fluid under pressure sequentially to the inlet port 108.

Details of the ejecting mechanism have been described hereinabove. The sequence of operations thereof with respect to an end of a tubular core 16 will now be described, however, with reference to FIGS. 15-18 to set forth the preferred basis of operation thereof.

As described above, when an empty or slightly Wound tubular core 16 is first engaged by the initial winding mechanism comprising a series of rolls 14 in order to initiate the winding of the leading end of the web 10 upon such core, the heads 22 at opposite sides of the machine are simultaneously moved upward and axially toward each other as indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 15 for purposes of inserting the plug-like outer portion of each cone head 54 within the adjacent end of tubular core 16. The ejecting fingers 66 are in fully extended position within the grooves 64 when this occurs.

Referring next to FIG. 16, it will be seen that axial movement of the cone heads 54 respectively within the outer ends of tubular core 16 has occurred and incident thereto, the outer end surfaces of core 16 have both engaged the outer end surfaces of all of the figures 66 simultaneously and have pushed said fingers and the supporting rings 68 thereof axially away from each other and compressed the springs 74. All of this occurs while both cone heads 54 are rotating rapidly and unidirectionally by the driving mechanism of the machine.

Referring to FIG. 17, it is assumed that the core 16 has been wound with a desired quantity of the sheet material 10 and the wound core is to be discharged from the machine by moving the cone heads 54 in opposite directions axially. In accordance with the principles of the invention, simultaneous and even withdrawal of the cone heads 54 from the oppoiste ends of the core 16 is assured, primarily due to the fact that while the head 54 is being moved axially in the direction of the broken line arrow shown in FIG. 17, the ejector fingers 66 which are revolving with the core 16 and cone end 54 remain in contact with the outer end of core 16 whereby, in effect, the fingers 66 remain stationary in an axial direction while the cone head 54 moves axially outward relative to the adjacent end of core 16. Expansion of spring 74 maintains the outer ends of fingers 66 in such engagement with the end of core 16 and thus insures even and positive withdrawal of the cone head 54 from the opposite ends of the code 16. In FIG. 17, the cone head 54 is shown as being nearly fully withdrawn from the end of core 16.

Referring to FIG. 18, the arrangement is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. except that the cone head 54 is shown by the arrow as being moved axially away from core 16, while core 16 is shown by another arrow as moving in exemplary downward direction to discharge.

Another embodiment of cone head assembly which is particularly adapted to support and drive tubular cores of relatively small diameter but of substantial length is illustrated in FIGS. 10-12. Substantially the same basic principles with respect to the gripping means are employed in said embodiment as in that illustrated in the above-described figures. However, a more compact combination of detailed elements is utilized than in the latter, the nature and operation of which will now be described- In comparing the relative diameter of the cone head 54 shown in FIG. 9 with the corresponding cone head 54' shown in FIGS. 10-12, it will be seen that the latter accommodates a tubular core 112 which is substantially less than the diameter of core 16 shown in FIG. 9. By way of example, the core 112 may be of the order of in diameter and approximately 4" long. Cores of this type are commonly used to coil oilcloth and similar relatively wide widths of sheet material thereon in present commercial practices.

Normally, difficulty is experienced in handling cores of this type to support and drive the same by conical heads which depend for frictional engagement upon axial movement of the heads toward each other to drivingly connect the heads with the opposite ends of said tubular cores. It can readily be visualized that any appreciable amount of axial movement of the heads toward each other to effect such frictional engagement with such a long slim core, especially before any appreciable amount of sheet material has been wound thereon, can and does often result in bowing of such cores and this results in uneven winding and numerous other undesirable malfunctions.

Due to the fact that the present invention primarily effects gripping engagement with tubular cores by means of radially movable portions on gripping members carried by the several embodiments of cone heads comprising the present invention, only sufficient axial movement of the cone heads toward each other is required to substantially fully dispose the outer end of the tubular core against stop means on the cone head. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-12, such stop comprises an annular shoulder 114 on the cylindrical portion 116 of the plug-like cone head 54' which is received preferably with close tolerance within one end of tubular core 112.

Further in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-12, particularly to simplify the structure, no ejecting means is provided. The inertia of the greater mass and weight of wound rolls of greater length usually is adequate to insure even withdrawal of the heads from the ends of the wound core. Accordingly, the cone head 54 is provided with a diametrical slot extending inward from the outer end thereof to receive a pair of bell crank gripping members 122 which are pivotally supported respectively upon transverse pivot pins. Said gripping members 122 are provided with radially extending inner legs which are engaged by an axial plunger 124 connected to the forward end of piston 126 movable within the short interior cylinder 128 which is disposed coaxially within the portion 116 of cone 54.

The cylindrical portion 116 is connected to an annular flange 130 fixed to the outer end of rotatable shaft 132 which is supported within appropriate antifriction bearings in the housing 134 of a bracket corresponding to the bracket 44 shown in the preceding embodiment described hereinabove and a similar row of bolts also may be used to connect the cylindrical portion 116 of the annular flange 130 as in said preceding embodiment.

Fluid under pressure is delivered through an axially extending bore 136 communicating at one end with the interior cylinder 128 and the opposite end of the bore 136 communicates with an appropirate fluid manifold and delivery means similar to that shown in detail, for example, in FIG. 8 of the preceding embodiment.

The cone head 118 also is provided with an internal bore extending inward from the end opposite the outer face thereof a limited distance for purposes of accommodating a compression spring 138 within a cup-like enclosure 140 comprising said outer face. Said enclosure receives spring 138 and maintains the same in operative pressure relation against the opposite edges of the radial legs of gripping members 122 from those which are engaged by the plunger 124. If desired, a suitable stop plug, not shown, also may be carried by enclosure 140, which may be similar to the stop plug 90 of the preceding embodiment, for engagement with the innermost ends of the radial legs of gripping members 122 so as to limit radial outward movement of the longitudinally extending legs 142 of the gripping members 122.

In FIG. 10, the piston 126 and gripping members 122 are shown in retracted, inoperative position, whereas in FIG. 12, the piston 126 has been moved by fluid pressure operating thereagainst in the direction to move the tip ends of the longitudinal legs 142 of the gripping members 122 radially outward a limited amount sufficient to firmly and drivingly engage one end of a tubular core 112 without danger of slippage and without exerting axial pressure on the ends of the core 112 in such manner that the core tends to buckle or otherwise assume a shape which would interfere in any way with even, relatively tight winding of sheet material thereon so as to produce a highly desirable wound product comprising a desired length of sheet material of substantial width wound upon a tubular core.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in its several preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scope of the invention as claimed. This is particularly so in regard to the mechanism by which the cone heads are supported and moved axially, upward and downward between mounting and discharge positions for the cores upon the cone heads, and the like. For example, while such movements of the cone heads, except rotational, are substantially rectilinear, it is to be understood that different mechanical equivalent means from that illustrated may be used to support and move the cone heads to the various required positions therefor. Included among such different mechanisms which may be used are those which move the cone heads through arcuate paths between such positions, such as by rotary or oscillatory arms, turret heads, or similar devices. Also means for commonly supporting a plurality of cone heads at opposite sides of the machine may be used and pairs of opposing cone heads on said common supports may be indexed to position the heads as desired, all within the scope of the present invention.

We claim:

1. A cone head assembly for supporting and winding sheet material upon tubular cores comprising in combination,

(a) a pair of cone heads insertable axially into the outer ends of tubular cores,

(b) bearing means to support said heads in spaced coaxial relationship to receive a tubular core therebetween,

(c) means to effect relative axial movement between said heads incident to engaging and releasing a tubular core,

(d) means to drive said heads unidirectionally to effect Winding of sheet material upon a tubular core when supported by said heads,

(e) gripping means on said heads comprising a plurality of bell cranks spaced circumferentially around said heads and pivotally connected thereto adjacent the peripheries of said heads, said bell cranks each having a leg extending substantially radially and another leg extending substantially axially of said heads adjacent the periphery of the portions of said heads which are insertable into the ends of tubular cores,

(f) axially movable means operable to move said axially extending legs of said gripping means radially outward to engage a tubular core as aforesaid with suflicient friction to prevent slippage between said heads and a tubular core while winding sheet material thereon and constituting the principal frictional engagement between said core by said heads while winding material thereon.

2. The cone head assembly according to claim 1 in which said axially movable means comprises a piston movable in one direction to eflfect gripping movement of said bell cranks with said ends of a tubular core, and said heads each further including spring means engageable with said radially extending legs of said bell cranks and operable to move the same oppositely to that in which said pistons move said radial legs to positively effect retraction of the axially extending legs of said bell cranks from driving engagement with said ends of a tubular core.

3. The cone head assembly according to claim 2 in which each of said heads is provided with a plurality of bell crank gripping means spaced evenly circumferentially around said heads and said piston simultaneously engaging all of the radially projecting legs of said bell cranks in each head to move the other legs of said bell cranks substantially radially into gripping engagement with the opposite ends of a tubular core.

4. A cone head assembly according to claim 3 further including a shaft supporting each head in said bearing means and each shaft having an axial fluid passage therein directed against said piston in said head thereon, and manifold means extending around each shaft and arranged to communicate with said axial fluid passage therein, said manifold means being connectable to a source of fluid under pressure.

5. A cone head assembly according to claim 1 further including stop means on each head arranged to abut one end of a tubular core when said pair of cone heads are supporting the same at the opposite ends thereof, thereby limiting axial movement of each head with respect to said opposite ends of a tubular core incident to mounting a core thereon.

6. A cone head assembly according to claim 5 in which each head comprises a cylindrical plug-like portion projectable into one end of a tubular core, said plug-like portion being provided with radial slots respectively receiving said bell crank gripping means.

7. The cone head assembly according to claim 1 further including ejector means on each head movable axially against the end of a core when engaged by said head to insure separation of said heads from the opposite ends of a core at the completion of a winding operation.

8. The cone head assembly according to claim 7 in which said gripping means comprise bell crank members pivotally connected to said heads and each member having a leg extending radially inward toward the axis of the head and a leg extending substantially axially therealong adjacent the periphery of said head, and said heads further including axially movable means engageable with said radially extending legs of said bell crank members to project the other legs thereof radially outward into firm gripping engagement with the inner surfaces of the opposite ends of a tubular core when mounted upon said heads.

9. The cone head assembly according to claim 8 in which each head further includes a plug-like portion projecta ble axially respectively into the opposite ends of a tubular core, said heads also having annular shoulders thereon operable to abut said opposite ends of a tubular core and thereby limit axial movement of said plug-like portions into said core, said ejector means on said head being movable axially relative to said plug-like portion' thereon toward and from said shoulder on each head.

10. The cone head assembly according to claim 8 in which said ejector means are positioned upon each head to engage the end of a tubular core mounted upon each head when said core is positioned operatively upon said heads for winding operations.

11. The cone head assembly according to claim 10 further including activating means engaging said ejector means and operable to maintain the same in abutting engagement with the end of a tubular core while said heads are moved axially away from the ends of said core.

12. The cone head assembly according to claim 10 in which said ejector means on said heads comprise means on each head spaced circumferentially therearound and a-buttingly engaging the end of a tubular core at correspondingly circumferentially spaced locations.

13. The cone head assembly according to claim 12 further including a ring member movable axially upon each head and said circumferentially spaced means on said ejector means comprising axially extending fingers of substantially equal length connected at one end to said ring and movable therewith when ejection of a core from said heads occurs.

14. The cone head assembly according to claim 13 further including stop means carried by each rotatable head but fixed against axial movement with respect to said head, and spring means extending between said ring and said stop means to project said fingers upon said ring into abutment with the end of a tubular core during operation of said heads.

15. A cone head assembly according to claim 14 in which each of said heads further include an annular stop shoulder thereon having slots extending radially therethrough and spaced substantially evenly circumferentially around said head, said slots slidably accommodating said fingers of said ejecting means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,838,432 12/1931 Mitchell 24272 X 2,369,093 2/1945 Washam 242-78.6 2,759,679 8/1956 Torregrossa et al. 242-68.4 2,922,592 1/1960 Kaltenbach 24268.2

NATHAN L. MINTZ, Primary Examiner. 

